Apparatus for illuminating a portable electronic device and method for using the same

ABSTRACT

The present invention involves an apparatus for illuminating a display screen of a handheld portable video game device having a utility power jack or communication port in electrical connection with a power source. The apparatus includes a plug for plugging the apparatus into the utility power jack or communication port, a body connected to the plug, and an illumination device including one or more illumination devices attached to the body and electrically connected to the utility power jack through the plug and the body. The illumination device is powered by the power source when the apparatus is plugged into the utility power jack. Preferably, the one or more illumination devices include one or more Light Emitting Diodes (“LEDs”).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 09/553,781, filed Apr. 21, 2000, which is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/330,322, filed Jun. 11, 1999.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates, in general, to lighting devicesand methods for illuminating a portable electronic or computing device,and, in particular, to lighting devices and methods for illuminating ascreen of a handheld video game device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The GAME BOY® device sold by Nintendo and the NeoGeo Pocket™ soldby the SNK Corporation of America are examples of popular hand-held,portable, battery-powered video game devices that presently include agenerally flat, liquid crystal display screen. The flat, liquid crystaldisplay screens of these devices work well in well-lit areas. However,because these screens have not been backlit, when such devices are usedin dimly lit areas or at night, it can be difficult, if not impossible,for a user to see anything in the viewing screen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Accordingly, an aspect of the invention involves an apparatus forilluminating a display screen of a handheld portable video game devicehaving a utility power jack or communication port in electricalconnection with a power source. The apparatus includes a plug forplugging the apparatus into the utility power jack or communicationport, a body connected to the plug, and one or more illumination devicesattached to the body and electrically connected to the utility powerjack through the plug and the body. The one or more illumination devicesare powered by the power source when the apparatus is plugged into theutility power jack and may be used to illuminate the screen of thedevice, or other areas of the device or nearby objects. Preferably, theone or more illumination devices are one or more Light Emitting Diodes(“LEDs”).

[0005] Another aspect of the invention involves an apparatus forilluminating a display screen of a handheld portable video game devicehaving a battery compartment with at least one battery contact. Theapparatus includes a case capable of forming a mechanical connectionwith the device, a power source located within the case, at least oneelectrical contact electrically coupled to the power source and adaptedto contact the battery contacts of the device for powering the devicewhen the case forms a mechanical connection with the device, a bodyconnected to the case and electrically coupled to the power source, andan illumination device including one or more illumination devicesattached to the body and electrically connected to the power source,wherein the one or more illumination devices are powered by the powersource. As indicated above, the one or more illumination devices arepreferably one or more LEDs.

[0006] A further aspect of the invention involves an apparatus forilluminating a display screen of a handheld portable video game devicehaving an external power supply jack. The apparatus includes a casecapable of forming a mechanical connection with the device, a powersource located within the case, a power plug electrically coupled to thepower source and adapted for insertion into the external power supplyjack of the device for powering the device, a body connected to the caseand electrically connected to the power source, and an illuminationdevice including one or more illumination devices (preferably LEDs)attached to the body and electrically connected to the power source,wherein the one or more illumination devices are powered by the powersource.

[0007] A further aspect of the invention involves a method ofilluminating a display screen of a handheld portable video game devicehaving a battery compartment with at least one battery contact. Themethod includes the steps of providing an apparatus including a casecapable of forming a mechanical connection with the device, arechargeable power source located within the case, at least oneelectrical contact electrically coupled to the rechargeable power sourceand adapted to come into contact with the at least one battery contactof the device for powering the device, a body coupled to the case andrechargeable power source, and one or more illumination devices(preferably LEDs) attached to the body; mechanically locking theapparatus to the device so as to place the at least one electricalcontact of the apparatus in electrical communication with the at leastone battery contact of the apparatus; and illuminating the portableelectronic or computing device or a nearby object with the one or moreillumination devices.

[0008] A still further aspect of the invention involves a method ofilluminating a display screen of a handheld portable video game device.The method includes the steps of providing an apparatus including a casecapable of forming a mechanical connection with the device, a powersource located within the case, a power plug electrically coupled to thepower source and adapted for insertion into the external power supplyjack of the device for powering the device, a body coupled to the caseand rechargeable power source, and one or more illumination devices(preferably LEDs) attached to the body; mechanically locking theapparatus to the device; inserting the power plug of the accessory intothe external power supply jack of the device to secure an electricalconnection between the apparatus and the device; and illuminating theportable electronic or computing device or nearby object with the one ormore illumination devices.

[0009] These and further objects and advantages will be apparent tothose skilled in the art in connection with the drawing and the detaileddescription of the preferred embodiment set forth below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The drawings illustrate the design and utility of preferredembodiments of the present invention, in which similar elements arereferred to by common reference numerals.

[0011]FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of anillumination accessory for a portable electronic or computing device.

[0012]FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are respective electrical schematics ofalternative embodiments of illumination accessories for handheldportable electronic or computing devices such as the handheld video gamedevice illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of anillumination accessory for a portable electronic or computing device.

[0014]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate preferred embodimentof an illumination accessory for a portable electronic or computingdevice.

[0015]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of anillumination accessory for a portable electronic or computing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016]FIG. 1 illustrates how an illumination accessory or apparatus 5constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventioncan be used with a portable handheld video game device such as the GAMEBOY® or NeoGeo™ devices. Although this drawing depicts a handheld videogame device, the apparatus is adaptable to any portable electronic orcomputing device that has a utility power jack (or communication portadapted to deliver some power) in electrical connection with a powersource such as, but not limited to, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)(e.g., Palm Pilot™), a digital camera, an internet camera, a videocamera, and a cellular or an internet phone. Further, the invention maybe used for purposes other than illuminating the screen of the device.For example, the invention may be used to illuminate a keyboard of thedevice, illuminate a subject of the device (e.g., when used with acamera), or illuminate an object used with the device.

[0017] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the electronic device 1 is ahandheld portable video game device such as the NINTENDO® GAME BOY®. Thedevice 1 includes a viewing or display screen 2 and a power source 3 incommunication with a utility power jack or communication port 4 throughappropriate electronic circuitry (not shown). The power source andutility power jack are shown generally as 3 and 4 because their locationand configuration will vary depending upon the design of a givenportable electronic or computing device.

[0018] The display screen 2 may be a non-backlit, flat, liquid crystaldisplay screen. Alternatively, the display screen 2 may be another typeof display screen and/or a display screen that is ineffectively lit.

[0019] The power source 3 may be self-contained such as one or morealkaline batteries in a battery compartment, or, as described below, maybe an add-on rechargeable power source. The power source 3 may beaugmented or replaced by plug-in capability (e.g., AC adapter) to anon-portable power source such as a wall outlet.

[0020] In the case of the device 1 being a NINTENDO® GAME BOY®, theutility power jack or communication port 4 is a communication port thathas traditionally been used for communicating with other GAME BOY®devices for head-to-head video game competition. The inventors of thepresent invention recognized that in addition to being used forcommunication purposes, the port may be used for powering separateaccessories. The inventors determined that the communication port of theGAME BOY® has a current level of approximately 20 ma at 5 volts (two 1.5volt batteries).

[0021] An illumination apparatus 5 constructed in accordance with anembodiment of the invention includes a plug 6 for plugging theillumination apparatus 5 into the utility power jack 4 of the device 1.The exact configuration of the plug 6 should be designed so as to matewith the utility power jack 4 and create a mechanical and electricalconnection between the utility power jack 4 and the plug 6 when theapparatus 5 is plugged into the device 1.

[0022] The illumination apparatus 5 also includes a body 7 and anillumination device 8. The body 7 connects the illumination device 8 tothe plug 6, and the body 7 is preferably comprised of a flexible arm.The illumination device 8 is electrically connected to the utility powerjack 4 through the plug 6 and the body 7 so that the illumination device8 is powered by the power source 2 when the illumination apparatus 5 isplugged into the electronic device 1. The electrical connection betweenthe illumination device 8 and the plug 6 can be established by anysuitable means such as by a wire (not shown). It is especially preferredthat the body 7 can be adjusted, when the apparatus 5 is plugged intothe utility power jack 4, to adjust the height and/or the angle of theillumination device 8 relative to the electronic device 1. In order toprevent the movement of the apparatus in a direction away from theelectronic device, one or more support wings 16 may be attached to theplug 6. These support wings 16 stabilize the plug 6 by providingsurfaces that abut the electronic device 1, and, thereby, preventrocking of the plug 6 in a plane of the support wings 16. They also makeit less likely that the plug 6 will pull away from the electronic device1 at the location of the support wings 16, thereby stabilizing theconnection of the plug 6 to the electronic device 1.

[0023] The illumination device 8 is preferably one or more lightemitting diodes (“LED”) 9 housed in a case housing 10. In a preferredembodiment, a single LED 9 is housed in the case housing 10. However, inalternative embodiments, different numbers of LEDs 9, e.g., 2, 3, 4,etc. may be used. A LED 9 is advantageous because it is a low powerdrawing illumination device during operation. A low power illuminationdevice means an illumination device that draws 20 ma or less in power.The low power draw is especially advantageous with respect to portableelectronic or computing devices such as the GAME BOY® because thesedevices generally have little power available at the port 4 and theamount of power supplied by the power source 3 is limited. A higherpower draw may not be available at the port 4, and, in the event thepower is available, a higher powered light source may drain the limitedpower supply too quickly, possibly damaging the power source 3 andlimiting the time that the device 1 could be operated. The LED 9 issmall, lightweight and also does not burn out like conventional filamentlight bulbs, reducing maintenance of the apparatus 5. Because the LED 9does not emit heat, the LED 9 uses the low power drawn efficiently andcan be formed into plastic without the heat warping effects on thestructure. The LED 9 also does not have a filament like conventionalbulbs, therefore, it casts light in a more even and focused manner.Because of the low amount of power that the LED 9 draws, multiple LEDs 9may be used in the illumination apparatus 5. Instead of multiple LEDs 9being added to the illumination device 8, multiple LEDs 9 may be part ofmultiple illumination devices 8 in the illumination apparatus 5. The LED9 is preferably a wide angle LED to more broadly distribute the light. Awide angle LED is a LED with an angle of 40-degrees or greater. The LEDis also preferably a white LED. A white LED has the advantages of beinga full-spectrum light that brings out the full, true colors of objectssuch as the colors generated on the display screen 2, while requiringvery little power.

[0024] The housing 10 may include suitable electronics such as aresistor, variable resistor, and/or regulator 11 for varying theintensity of light given off by the LED 9. FIGS. 2A-2C are electricalschematics of alternative electrical circuit embodiments of theillumination apparatus 5 and are shown in conjunction with a simplifiedelectrical representation of the device 1.

[0025] With reference to FIG. 2A, an embodiment of the illuminationapparatus 5 may include the LED 9 in circuit with a fixed resistor 11.The resistor 11 is used to control the illumination of the LED 9 at agenerally pre-selected illumination level determined, in part, by thepre-selected resistance of the resistor 11. In another embodiment, theLED 9 may be selected so that a separate resistor 11 is not required,i.e., the resistor 11 shown represents the internal resistance of theLED 9.

[0026] With reference to FIG. 2B, an additional embodiment of theillumination apparatus 5 may include the LED 9 in circuit with avariable resistor 11. The variable resistor 11 functions as a dimmermechanism or brightness control mechanism for manually controlling thebrightness of the LED 9. The variable resistor 11 may be operativelyassociated with a control wheel (similar to a volume control wheel) orsimilar mechanism to control the brightness of the LED 9.

[0027] With reference to FIG. 2C, a further embodiment of theillumination accessory 5 may include the LED 9 in circuit with aregulator 11. The regulator 11 is preferably a regulator circuit thatsupplies the LED 9 with a constant power level regardless of the inputpower level, which may vary, delivered from the device 1 to theillumination apparatus 5.

[0028] In other embodiments of the illumination apparatus 5, theapparatus 5 may include one or more LEDs 9 in circuit with one or moreof the elements described above with respect to FIGS. 2A-2C.

[0029] The housing may include additional features such as a diffuser14. A diffuser breaks up the narrow light of the LED 9 and softens thelight, thus avoiding “hot spots” on the screen 2 and glare that maydistract the user. The diffuser 14 can alternatively be replaced by amagnifier 14 that focuses the light on the screen 2, rendering it easierto see the details of the screen 2. The magnifier 14 also focuses thelight where it is needed, avoiding waste and optimizing the low powerconsumed by the LED 9. Another feature that may be included is areflector 13 that concentrates the light toward the object to beilluminated while also helping to minimize back-scatter of lightgenerated by the illumination device 8. The reflector 13 includes amirrored surface on the bottom of the reflector 13 for reflecting lightaway from the user. The housing 10 can also include an opaque surface atits end distant from the desired travel of light so as to minimizeundesirable back-scatter of light toward a user's eye.

[0030] When the plug 6 of the illumination apparatus 5 is plugged intothe utility power jack or communication port 4 of the electronic device1, it necessarily occupies the connection that the utility power jack orcommunication port 4 would otherwise provide to a user of the electronicdevice 1. Because a user of the electronic device 1 might need toconnect some other device to the utility power jack or communicationport 4, the plug 6 may be constructed so as to include a second utilitypower jack 12. The second utility power jack 12 is adapted to receive asecond plug and provide a mechanical and electrical connection for thesecond plug equivalent to that which is provided by the first utilitypower jack 4. Thus, the second utility power jack 12 will provideelectrical communication for the second plug with the first utilitypower jack 4 when the second plug is plugged into the second utilityjack 12 of the first plug 6 and the first plug 6 is plugged into thefirst utility power jack 4.

[0031] The present invention is also adaptable to a portable computingdevice with a display screen that is not illuminated by the portablecomputing device. In such an embodiment, the illumination apparatus isplugged into a utility port of the computing device in electricalconnection with a power source instead of the utility power jack 4 ofthe electronic device 1. In such a device, the utility port can be anyport that allows connection of additional products or communicationdevices, or cables, or any additional accessory or product that alsoincludes power. The illumination apparatus 5 can have a second utilityport adapted to receive a second plug that is in electricalcommunication with the first utility port when the second plug isplugged into the first plug and the first plug is plugged into the firstutility port. In all other respects, the structure and function of theillumination apparatus 5 would be the same as for the illuminationapparatus 5 described above in connection with electronic device 1.

[0032] With reference to FIG. 3, an illumination apparatus 25constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention willnow be discussed. The plug 6 and the illumination device 8 of thisembodiment are similar to those described above with respect to FIG. 1.This embodiment, however, differs from the apparatus 5 described withrespect to FIG. 1 in that the illumination apparatus includes anon-linear body 30. The non-linear body 30 has three portions: a firstportion 26 that connects to the plug 6, a second non-linear main bodyportion 27 that connects to the first portion 26, and a third portion 28that connects to the illumination device 8 and the nonlinear main bodyportion 27.

[0033] The non-linear main body portion 27 may be non-linearly shapedsuch as, but not by way of limitation, coiled, helical, serpentine,wave-like, sinusoidal, and crenellated. In the preferred embodimentshown, the main body portion 27 is helical. While FIG. 3 depicts thisembodiment with five coils, the non-linear main body portion 27 maycontain fewer or additional coils.

[0034] With reference to FIG. 4, an illumination apparatus 31constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention willnow be described. The illumination apparatus 31 is similar to theillumination apparatus 28 described above with respect to FIG. 3, butthe apparatus 31 additionally includes a case 32 with a power supply 34that supplies power to the portable electronic device 1. Such anembodiment is advantageous where the electronic device 1 does not outputenough power through the utility power jack or utility port 4 to poweran illumination apparatus such as those described above with respect toFIGS. 1 and 2, or if the device or other object to be lighted does notinclude a utility power jack or communication port. In one embodiment,the illumination apparatus 31 may be an integrated assembly. In thisembodiment, the first portion 26 of the body 30 may be integrated withthe case 32. In another embodiment, the illumination apparatus 31 may bea two-piece assembly. In this embodiment, the plug 6 may plug into apower jack 42 of the case 32 and the power jack 42 is in electricalcommunication with the power supply 34 such that mating the plug 6 withthe power jack 42 (when the device 1 is on) powers the illuminationdevice 8.

[0035] The case 32 includes an electrical power connector 38electrically coupled to the power supply 34 and adapted to be connectedto the electronic device 1 for powering the device 1. The power supply34 is preferably one or more rechargeable batteries, but in alternativeembodiments, may be one or more batteries, fuel cells, an AC adapter tobe plugged into a wall outlet, or any other suitable power source. Theelectrical power connector 38 preferably includes one or more electricalcontacts 46 mounted to a pair of generally battery-shaped protrusions50.

[0036] The case 32 is adapted to be removably mounted to a batterycompartment of the portable electronic device 1. The battery compartmentof the device 1 may include a pair of slots at a top portion of thebattery compartment and a groove or slot located at a lower portion ofthe battery compartment to mechanically secure a battery compartmentcover. Preferably, the apparatus 31 is used with the battery compartmentcover removed from the electronic device 1. The apparatus 31 includestwo flat tabs 54 that are adapted to slide into the slots at the topportion of the battery compartment of the electronic device 1. A detentclip 58 protrudes inwardly from a rear wall 62 of the case 32 and isadapted to snap into the existing slot or groove at the lower portion ofthe battery compartment of the electronic device 1. When the case 32 isattached to the portable electronic device 1, the flat tabs 54 and thedetent clip 58 slide into the respective slots of the electronic device1 for mechanically connecting the case 32 to the device 1. The pair ofgenerally battery-shaped protrusions 50 replace the batteries that wouldnormally reside in the battery compartment of device 1, and the pair ofelectrical contacts 46 communicate with a corresponding pair ofelectrical contacts in the battery compartment of device 1 toelectrically couple the power supply 34 of the illumination apparatus 31to the portable electronic device 1 for powering the device 1.

[0037] The case 32 of the illumination apparatus 31 may include analternating current (“A/C”) power jack 80 that is electrically coupledto the rechargeable batteries. Connecting an A/C adapter to the A/Cpower jack 80 will recharge the rechargeable batteries, and may at thesame time provide power to the device 1 through either of the electricalcontacts 46.

[0038] With reference to FIG. 5, an illumination apparatus 64constructed in accordance with a further embodiment of the inventionwill now be described. The illumination apparatus 64 is similar to theillumination apparatus 31 described in conjunction with FIG. 4, butinstead of the electrical power connector 38 (FIG. 4), the apparatusincludes a movable power plug 66 adapted to mate with an external powersupply jack 68 (FIG. 3) on the device 1 to couple the power supply 34 ofthe illumination apparatus 64 to the portable electronic device 1. A tab70 is slidably secured along an elongated aperture 74 of the case 32.The power plug 66 is connected to an internal portion of the tab 70 forslidable movement through an aperture 78 with corresponding slidablemovement of the tab 70. When the case 32 is attached to the electronicdevice 1 in the manner described above, slidable movement of the tab 70to a completely forward position causes the power plug 66 to mate withthe external power supply jack 68 of the device 1 for powering thedevice 1. A connection plug 80 may also be connected to an internalportion of the tab 70 for slidable movement through an aperture 82 formating with a communication jack 84 (FIG. 3) on the device 1 to coupleelectronics within the case 32 with the portable electronic device 1.The electronics within the case 32 may be used for purposes such as, butnot by way of limitation, providing additional memory for the device 1,providing stereo speaker sound from the case 32, and providingvibrational forced feedback from the case 32.

[0039] It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art thatstill further changes and modifications in the actual concepts describedherein can readily be made without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for illuminating a display screen ofa handheld portable video game device having a utility port inelectrical connection with a power source, comprising: a plug forplugging the apparatus into the utility port; a body connected to theplug; and one or more illumination devices attached to the body and tobe electrically connected to the utility port through the plug and thebody, the illumination device to illuminate the display screen of thehandheld portable video game device; wherein the one or moreillumination devices are powered by the power source when the apparatusis plugged into the utility port.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe one or more illumination devices include one or more low-powerillumination devices.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one ormore illumination devices include one or more Light Emitting Diodes(“LEDs”).
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the one or more LEDsinclude one or more white light LEDs.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3,wherein the one or more LEDs include one or more wide-angle LEDs.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the plug includes a communication port forreceiving a second plug.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one ormore illumination devices further comprise a reflector.
 8. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the one or more illumination devices furthercomprise a diffuser.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one ormore illumination devices further comprise a magnifier.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a dimmer to vary the intensityof light radiated by the one or more illumination devices.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein the dimmer includes a variable resistor.12. An apparatus for illuminating a display screen of a handheldportable video game device having a battery compartment with at leastone battery contact, the apparatus comprising: a case capable of forminga mechanical connection with the device; a power source located withinthe case; at least one electrical contact electrically coupled to thepower source and adapted to contact the at least one battery contact ofthe device for powering the device when the case forms a mechanicalconnection with the device; a body connected to the case andelectrically coupled to the power source; and one or more illuminationdevices attached to the body and electrically connected to the powersource, wherein the one or more illumination devices are powered by thepower source.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the one or moreillumination devices include one or more low-power illumination devices.14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the power source comprises atleast one rechargeable battery.
 15. The apparatus of claim 12, whereinthe case includes a second power jack adapted to be coupled to analternating current adapter for recharging the rechargeable batteryand/or powering the device.
 16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein theone or more illumination devices include one or more Light EmittingDiodes (“LEDs”).
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the one or moreLEDs include one or more white LEDs.
 18. The apparatus of claim 16,wherein the one or more LEDs include one or more wide-angle LEDs. 19.The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the one or more illumination devicesfurther comprise a reflector.
 20. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein theone or more illumination devices further comprise a diffuser.
 21. Theapparatus of claim 12, wherein the one or more illumination devicesfurther comprise a magnifier.
 22. The apparatus of claim 12, furthercomprising a dimmer to vary the intensity of light radiated by the oneor more illumination devices.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein thedimmer includes a variable resistor.
 24. The apparatus of claim 12,wherein the body is integral with the case.
 25. The apparatus of claim12, wherein the body includes a plug for detachably connecting the bodyto the case.
 26. An apparatus for illuminating a display screen of ahandheld portable video game device having an external power supplyjack, the apparatus comprising: a case capable of forming a mechanicalconnection with the device; a power source located within the case; apower plug electrically coupled to the power source and adapted forinsertion into the external power supply jack of the device for poweringthe device; a body connected to the case and electrically connected tothe power source; and one or more illumination devices attached to thebody and electrically connected to the power source, wherein the one ormore illumination devices are powered by the power source.
 27. Theapparatus of claim 26, wherein the one or more illumination devicesinclude one or more low-power illumination devices.
 28. The apparatus ofclaim 26, wherein the power source comprises at least one rechargeablebattery.
 29. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the case includes asecond power jack adapted to be coupled to an alternating currentadapter for recharging the rechargeable battery and/or powering thedevice.
 30. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the one or moreillumination devices include one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the one or more LEDs include oneor more white LEDs.
 32. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the one ormore LEDs include one or more wide-angle LEDs.
 33. The apparatus ofclaim 26, wherein the one or more illumination devices further comprisea reflector.
 34. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the one or moreillumination devices further comprise a diffuser.
 35. The apparatus ofclaim 26, wherein the one or more illumination devices further comprisea magnifier.
 36. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a dimmerto vary the intensity of light radiated by the one or more illuminationdevices.
 37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the dimmer includes avariable resistor.
 38. A method of illuminating a display screen of ahandheld portable video game device having a battery compartment with atleast one battery contact, the method comprising the steps of: providingan apparatus including a case capable of forming a mechanical connectionwith the device, a rechargeable power source located within the case; atleast one electrical contact electrically coupled to the rechargeablepower source and adapted to come into contact with the at least onebattery contact of the device for powering the device, a body coupled tothe case and rechargeable power source, and one or more Light EmittingDiodes (“LEDs”) attached to the body; mechanically locking the apparatusto the device so as to place the at least one electrical contact of theapparatus in electrical communication with the at least one batterycontact of the apparatus; and illuminating the display screen of thehandheld portable video game device with the one or more LEDs.
 39. Themethod of claim 38, further including the step of adjusting thebrightness of the one or more LEDs with a dimmer on the apparatus. 40.The method of claim 38, wherein the one or more LEDs include one or morewhite light LEDs.
 41. The method of claim 38, wherein the one or moreLEDs include one or more wide-angle LEDs.
 42. A method of illuminating adisplay screen of a handheld portable video game device having anexternal power supply jack, the method comprising the steps of:providing an apparatus including a case capable of forming a mechanicalconnection with the device, a power source located within the case, apower plug electrically coupled to the power source and adapted forinsertion into the external power supply jack of the device for poweringthe device, a body coupled to the case and rechargeable power source,and one or more Light Emitting Diodes (“LEDs”) attached to the body;mechanically locking the apparatus to the device; inserting the powerplug of the accessory into the external power supply jack of the deviceto secure an electrical connection between the apparatus and the device;and illuminating the display screen of the handheld portable video gamedevice with the one or more LEDs.
 44. The method of claim 42, furtherincluding the step of adjusting the brightness of the one or more LEDswith a dimmer on the apparatus.
 45. The method of claim 42, wherein theone or more LEDs include one or more white light LEDs.
 46. The method ofclaim 42, wherein the one or more LEDs include one or more wide-angleLEDs.